Laminated Roofing Shingle with Contrast Zones Providing Variegated Appearance

ABSTRACT

A laminated roofing shingle is provided, having an anterior shingle layer and a posterior shingle layer. Openings exist in tab portions of the anterior shingle layer, allowing for visible front surface portions of the posterior shingle layer to be visible through the openings. Such visible portions can be of varying vertical contrast from at least some of the top edges of the openings to at least some of the bottom edges of the posterior shingle layer that are exposed through the openings, and are generally of consistent horizontal contrast between right and left edges of the openings. Front surface portions of the posterior shingle layer that are exposed through one or more openings have a different contrast that is in interrupting contrast to at least a portion of any of the varying or consistent contrast that are visible through the openings between tabs of the anterior shingle layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Application 61/512,125filed Jul. 27, 2011, the complete disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-layer shingle, preferablyone constructed of asphaltic roofing material and most particularly onehaving an asphaltic material provided over a base mat which then hasgranules applied to surfaces thereof.

The art of shingle manufacture is highly developed, and improvements inshingle manufacturing have been subtle, often being devoted to thesimulation of wood, slate, tile or other natural appearing materials.

In the course of shingle development, some approaches have been madetoward applying granules of various color, shading, tone andcombinations thereof.

Some of these developments have involved providing a multi-layershingle, of at least two layers, one being an anterior shingle layer andanother being a posterior shingle layer. Sometimes, portions of theshingle that are adapted to be exposed to the environment when laid upon a roof have been provided with different areas of shading, atdifferent depths or planes, whereby the visual contrast, upon viewing aroof comprised of such shingles from the front, is to provide to theappearance of increased depth, or thickness of the shingle.

Sometimes this increased depth or thickness is achieved by having darkerportions of an underlying or posterior layer of shingle visible betweenor beneath adjacent tabs of the shingle. An example of this is in U.S.Pat. No. 6,523,316, the complete disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Another example of achieving different aesthetic effects that produce,in a manufactured shingle, the appearance of changes in texture, coloror combinations thereof, are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,837, thecomplete disclosure of which is also herein incorporated by reference.Another example of a shingle wherein different granule applications areprovided in order to achieve various aesthetics effects is set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 5,181,361, the complete disclosure of which is also hereinincorporated by reference.

Other laminated shingles wherein different color and contrast effectsare achieved for laminated shingles having openings between adjacenttabs of the anterior shingle layer and with a backing or posteriorshingle layer exist in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,900,589; 4,717,614; 6,289,648;6,190,754; Des 344,144; 5,369,929; 5,611,186 and 5,666,776, the completedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. Some of theseshingles, because of the opening configurations between adjacent tabs,are also referred to as “dragon's tooth” shingles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A laminated roofing shingle is provided having an anterior shingle layerwith a headlap and a tab portion, with the tab portion having aplurality of tabs separated by openings. The posterior shingle layer isadhered to the rear surface of the anterior shingle layer, with portionsof the posterior shingle layer being visible through the openingsbetween tabs of the anterior shingle layer.

In those openings, there is a varying vertical contrast from top tobottom, and a generally consistent horizontal contrast. A portion of theposterior shingle layer that is exposed through one or more openingsbetween the tabs has a different contrast that interrupts a portion ofthe varying or consistent contrast.

The varying vertical contrast can be in the form of a plurality ofhorizontally extending but different vertical striations, or thevertical contrast can be a vertically gradual variation. The contrastthat interrupts the striations or vertical gradual variations can belighter or darker, relative to other portions of the posterior shinglelayer that is visible through the openings, or can take on variousforms.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide alaminated roofing shingle having anterior and posterior shingle layers,with openings between spaced-apart tabs of the anterior shingle layer,by which portions of the front surface of the posterior shingle layerare visible, and but the posterior shingle layer having verticalcontrast that is interrupted by a different contrast.

It is another object of this invention to encompass the above object,wherein the tabs and openings are in the form of “dragon's teeth”.

The vertically varying contrast may be in the form of a plurality ofseparate zones or striations, or a vertically gradual variation, in eachcase the varying contrast being a variation in tones of the same color,or of different colors or blends of colors or tones, or verticalvariation in darkness or lightness.

It is another object of this invention to accomplish the above objects,wherein the interruption by a different contrast can be a lighter ordarker variation of some of the same colors, or different colors, ortones or blends of colors or tones, in one or more openings betweenadjacent tabs.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent upon a reading of the following brief descriptions of thedrawing figures, the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments,and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a shim or posterior shingle layer,adapted for adhesive disposition behind an anterior or top shingle layerof a laminated roofing shingle.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of a modified portion of FIG. 1, takengenerally from zone I of FIG. 1, with separation areas between thestriations of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a top illustration of a dragon's tooth type shingle inaccordance with this invention, comprised of a posterior layer of theFIG. 1 type and an anterior shingle layer, with various striations ofthe posterior layer showing through openings between adjacent tabs,which striations are generally consistent in contrast horizontally, butwhich vary in contrast vertically, and wherein such striations are shownas being interrupted by areas of different contrast in some of theopenings.

FIG. 2A is a modified form of the zone II of FIG. 2, wherein thestriations are shown as being interrupted by a modified area ofdifferent contrast.

FIG. 2B is a modified form of the zone II of FIG. 2, wherein thestriations are shown as being interrupted by a modified area of yetanother different contrast.

FIG. 3 is a left elevational view of the shingle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a shingle in accordance with thisinvention, wherein the visible portions of the front surface of theposterior shingle layer are illustrated as having vertically gradualvariation in tone from top to bottom, and wherein one of the openingshas a different, interrupting contrast, that is lighter in appearance.

FIG. 5 is an illustration like that of FIG. 4, but wherein the area ofinterrupting different contrast is darker, and appears in portions oftwo of the openings between tabs.

FIG. 6 is an illustration like that of FIG. 5, but wherein the posteriorshingle layer extends slightly lower than the lower edges of the tabs ofthe anterior shingle layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG.1, wherein a posterior layer of shingle material is generally designatedby the numeral 10. This posterior layer can also be referred to as ashim layer.

The posterior layer has a front surface 11 and a rear surface 12. Thefront surface 11 has a plurality of generally horizontal striations13-16 that vary in vertical contrast, preferably with the striation 13being the darkest, the layer 14 being somewhat lighter, the striation 15being somewhat lighter than the striation 14, and the striation 16 beingthe lightest. The cross hatchings shown in the various striations 13-16are used as a drafting expedient to show contrast that varies fromdarker to lighter as one goes from striation 13 to striation 16.Generally, within each of the striations 13-16, the contrast ishorizontally the same, or generally consistent horizontally.

There are zones of different contrast, comprising zones 17, 18 and 20,which can be zones of darker contrast than any of the striations 13-16,although, it will be understood, that the zones of different contrast17, 18 and 20 could be of lighter contrast than any of the striations13-16, and that any of the zones 17, 18 and 20 can be of differentcontrast or combinations of contrast relative to each other, all withinthe spirit and scope of this invention. Some of the zones 17, 18 and 20could be of lighter contrast while others could be of darker contrast.The zones 17, 18 and 20, or different ones of them could be ininterrupting relation to any of, or all of, the striations as may bedesired. Also, the zones 17, 18 and 20 could be of different widths fromleft to right, or of different heights, from top to bottom, as may bedesired, or combinations thereof.

The zones 17, 18 and 20 are also referred to herein as being of“different” contrast that is “in interrupting contrast” to any of thevarying zones or striations 13-16, for reasons that will be understoodin the description, hereinafter.

It will also be understood that while in FIG. 1 there are shown fourdifferent striations 13-16, it will be understood that the front surfaceof the posterior or shim shingle layer 10 could be of a fewer or greaternumber of striations, as may be desired.

In FIG. 1A, the posterior layer of shingle material is designated by thenumeral 110, having horizontal striations 113, 114, 115 and 116, eachcorresponding generally to the striations 13, 14, 15 and 16 of FIG. 1,but wherein the striations of FIG. 1A are separated by blend areas 119.The blend areas 119 comprise a blend of granules that make up each ofstriations 113, 114, 115 and 116, and such blend can either be a uniformmix of the granules that make up striations 113, 114, 115 and 116, ormay comprise a non-uniform mix of the granules that comprise thestriations 113, 114, 115, 116, or may even comprise a weighted averageof the granules that make up striations 113, 114, 115 and 116, basedupon any desired factor, such as the relative heights of the striations113, 114, 115 and 116, as may be desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that a multi-layer shingle 25is provided, having the posterior layer 10 of FIG. 1 laminated by meansof a suitable bitumen or other adhesive to the rear surface 26 of ananterior shingle layer 27, which shingle layer 27 has a front surface28. The multi-layer shingle 25 has a headlap portion 30 and a tabportion 31. The headlap portion 30 is that portion of the shingle thatis normally covered when in the installed condition on a roof byshingles in a next-overlying course of shingles, and the tab portion 31of the shingle 25 is that portion of the shingle that is normallyweather-exposed in the installed condition on a roof, overlying aheadlap portion of a next-underlying course of shingles in the installedcondition on a roof.

The arrows 24 above the FIG. 1 illustration illustrate how the posteriorshingle layer 10 is applied beneath the anterior shingle layer 27 inFIG. 2.

The anterior shingle layer 27 has its tab portion 31 comprised of aplurality of tabs 32, 33 and 34, separated by intervening slots 35, 36,37 and 38, with the right and left edges of the tabs 40, 41,respectively defining the edges of the slots, to present for theanterior shingle layer 27 a “dragons tooth” configuration, as shown.

In the embodiment shown for FIG. 2, the lower edges 42 of the tabs 32,33 and 34 display a lower portion 43 of the posterior shingle layer 10exposed therebeneath, in the form of a “petticoat” effect.

It will be seen that portions of the striations 13, 14, 15 and 16 of theposterior shingle layer 10 are visible through the openings between tabsof the anterior shingle layer 27 in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

It will also be seen that different contrast portions that are ininterrupting contrast to the striations 13-16 in FIG. 2 are visiblethrough the openings 36 and 37 in FIG. 2. It will be understood thatthese portions of different contrast that are in interrupting contrastto striations in FIG. 2 can be fewer, or greater in number, and canappear in only a single opening, in a plurality of openings, or in allof the openings between the tabs of FIG. 2.

With reference now to FIG. 2A, a fragmentary portion of a shingle 225 isshown, comprising an anterior shingle layer 227 and a posterior shinglelayer 210, each of which are similar to a respective shingle layer 27 or10, of FIGS. 2 and 3, but wherein, in the embodiment of FIG. 2A, thestriations 213-216 (similar to the striations 13-16 of FIG. 2) areinterrupted by a zone 220, also of “different” contrast that is in“interrupting contrast” to the zones 213-216, with the zone 220 ofdifferent contrast being such that its left-most edge as shown in FIG.2A is at an oblique angle as shown. It will be understood that suchangle may vary, as desired, and that the zone 220 can be at the rightside of the striations as shown in FIG. 2A, as shown, or alternativelycould be at the left side, or in any other disposition of interruptionof the striations 213-216, all as may be desired.

With reference now to FIG. 2B, a portion of a modified shingle 325 isshown, having anterior and posterior shingle layers 327 and 310,likewise similar to the layers 27 and 10, respectively of FIGS. 2 and 3,and wherein striations 313-316 are illustrated, constructed in the samemanner as the striations 13-16 of FIG. 2, which striations of FIG. 2Bare interrupted by a zone 320, likewise of different contrast, and in“interrupting contrast” to striations 313-316, with the zone 320 beingstepped or staggered, at the right edge, as shown. It will be understoodthat the zone 320 of FIG. 2B can be on either side of the openingbetween tabs, as may be desired, and can have its stepped or staggeredportions of greater or narrower width, as shown, or constructed in anyother manner as may be desired.

Each of the shingle layers 10 and 27 of FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 2B and 3 arepreferably constructed of a layer of mat, which is preferably afiberglass mat, having bitumen such as asphalt applied thereto, andembedded therein, and with front surfaces of the shingle layers havinggranules applied thereto, and with rear surfaces of the layers 10 and 27having smaller particles applied thereto, such as mica, sand, or othersmall particles, in accordance with conventional shingle manufacture.The top surface 28 of the shingle layer 27 is shown to have a pluralityof dot-like marks thereon, indicating the presence of such granules.

It will be understood that the various striations 13-16, 113-116,213-216 and 313-316 can be striations that vary in contrast in color,striations that vary in contrast in tones of the same general color,striations that vary in blends of colors and/or tones, as may bedesired, to yield either particular sequences or a randomized number ofsequences, as may be desired.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another multi-layer roofing shingle 50 isprovided, comprised of an anterior shingle layer 51 and a posteriorshingle layer 52, with the anterior shingle layer 51 being constructedas described above for the embodiment of FIG. 2, and with the posteriorshingle layer 52 being constructed as described for the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, except that in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the exposedportions 53-56 of the front surface of the posterior shingle layer arecomprised of a vertically gradual variation in tone, color, or blends ofcolors or tones, rather than distinct striations. In FIG. 4, the openingthrough which the vertically gradual variation in tone 55 appears, therealso appears a “different” contrast that is in interrupting contrast, asshown at 57, to the vertically gradual variation in tone 55, with thezone 57 being a lighter interrupting contrast.

In FIG. 5, a multi-layer roofing shingle 60 is illustrated, having ananterior shingle layer 61 and a posterior shingle layer 62, constructedsimilarly to the embodiment of FIG. 4, to have zones that are verticallyof gradual variation in tone, from the front surface of the posteriorshingle layer, visible through openings between tabs, but wherein thereare darker zones 63 and 64 of interrupting contrast from the frontsurface of the posterior shingle layer, visible, in part, throughopenings 65 and 66, between tabs of the anterior shingle layer 61.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a multi-layer roofing shingle 70 isillustrated, comprised of an anterior shingle layer 71 and a posteriorshingle layer 72, with the portions of the front surface of theposterior shingle layer that are visible through openings between tabsof the anterior shingle layer 71 being comprised of vertically gradualvariations in tone, color, or combinations thereof, and with zones 73and 74 that are darker in color appearing through openings 75, 76, asshown, and wherein the lower edge 77 of the posterior shingle layerextends beneath the lower ends 78 of tabs, in a “petticoat” effect.

Other than as described above for each of FIGS. 4-6, the individualshingle layers are constructed as described for the shingle layers ofFIGS. 1 and 2, except for the vertical gradual variation in tone, coloror combinations thereof for the front surfaces of the posterior shinglelayer.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various modifications may bemade in the details of construction, as well as in the use andapplication of the shingles in accordance with this invention, allwithin the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the multi-layerroofing shingles may also be comprised of a greater number of layersthan the two layers specifically described herein.

1. A laminated roofing shingle comprising: (a) an anterior shingle layerhaving a headlap portion and a tab portion, with the anterior shinglelayer having front and rear surfaces; (b) a posterior shingle layerhaving front and rear surfaces and top and bottom edges, with the frontsurface adhesively secured to the rear surface of the anterior shinglelayer; (c) with the tab portion of the anterior shingle layer having aplurality of tabs horizontally spaced apart and of vertical height todefine a plurality of openings having right, left and top edges; withthe openings being between the tabs, leaving portions of the frontsurface of the posterior shingle layer exposed through the openingsbetween tabs of the anterior shingle layer; (d) the front surface of theposterior shingle layer having the portions that are exposed through theopenings between tabs of the anterior shingle layer (i) being of varyingvertical contrast from at least some of the top edges of openings to atleast some of the bottom edges of the posterior shingle layer that areexposed through the openings, and (ii) being of generally consistenthorizontal contrast between right and left edges of the openings; and(e) with the front surface of the posterior shingle layer that isexposed through at least one said opening between tabs having adifferent contrast that is in interrupting contrast to at least aportion of any of the varying or consistent contrast of clause (d). 2.The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1, wherein the varying contrastof exposed portion(s) of the front surface of the posterior shinglelayer of clause (d) (i) comprises a plurality of generally horizontalstriations.
 3. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 2, wherein thereare at least two said striations.
 4. The laminated roofing shingle ofclaim 2, wherein there are at least three said striations.
 5. Thelaminated roofing shingle of claim 2, wherein there are four saidstriations.
 6. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 2, wherein thestriations comprise varying contrasts in color.
 7. The laminated roofingshingle of claim 2, wherein the striations comprise varying contrasts intones of the same general color.
 8. The laminated roofing shingle ofclaim 2, wherein the striations comprise varying contrasts in blends ofcolors and/or tones.
 9. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1,wherein the tabs are generally of dragon tooth configuration.
 10. Thelaminated roofing shingle of claim 1, wherein the posterior shinglelayer has a height from its bottom edge(s) to above the top edge(s) ofthe openings between tabs of the anterior shingle layer, but notsubstantially extending behind the headlap portion of the anteriorshingle layer.
 11. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1, wherein thebottom edge of the posterior shingle layer extends below the bottomedges of the tabs of the anterior shingle layer.
 12. The laminatedroofing shingle of claim 1, wherein the varying contrast of exposedportion of the front surface of the posterior shingle layer of clause(d) comprises a vertically gradual variation in tone.
 13. The laminatedroofing shingle of any one of claim 1, wherein the front surface of theanterior shingle layer has a contrast with at least some of the surfaceportions of the posterior shingle layer that are exposed through theopenings between tabs.
 14. The laminated roofing shingle of any one ofclaim 12, wherein the front surface of the anterior shingle layer has acontrast with at least some of the surface portions of the posteriorshingle layer that are exposed through the openings between tabs. 15.The laminated roofing shingle of claim 12, wherein the differentcontrast of clause (e) of claim 1 is in a plurality of said openings.16. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 2, wherein the differentcontrast of clause (e) is in interrupting contrast to a plurality ofgenerally horizontal striations of a given said opening.
 17. Thelaminated roofing shingle of claim 2, wherein the different contrast ofclause (e) is in interrupting contrast to a plurality of generallyhorizontal striations of a plurality of said openings.
 18. The laminatedroofing shingle of claim 2, wherein the different contrast of clause (e)is in interrupting contrast to at least one generally horizontalstriation of a given said opening.
 19. The laminated roofing shingle ofclaim 2, wherein the different contrast of clause (e) is in interruptingcontrast to at least one generally horizontal striation of each of aplurality of said openings.
 20. The laminated roofing shingle of claim1, wherein the different contrast of clause (e) is a darker contrast.21. The laminated roofing shingle of claim 1, wherein the differentcontrast of clause (e) is a lighter contrast.
 22. The laminated roofingshingle of claim 2, wherein the different striations are comprised ofgranules of different contrasts and wherein vertically adjacent ones ofthe generally horizontal striations are spaced apart by a blend ofgranules of each of the striations.
 23. The laminated roofing shingle ofclaim 1, wherein the different contrast that is in interrupting contrasthas an obliquely sloped edge.
 24. The laminated roofing shingle of claim1, wherein the different contrast that is in interrupting contrast has astaggered edge.